Must you cultivate a championship contender over time – plant the seeds, watch it grow, pull out the weeds and rise stronger together?

Or can you flip a switch, add extra voltage, create chemistry on the fly and deliver on demand when the stakes are highest?

That’s what makes the Knights versus the Storm so compelling.

The battles on the ice will be one thing, but so will the shifting dynamics in each dressing room during the next two weeks.

“We didn’t pick up too many guys at the trade deadline,” veteran London defenceman Alec Regula said. “This is essentially the same team as before except for (Joey) Keane and (Kevin) Hancock. That’s big for us. When you add as many guys as they (Guelph) did, I feel the room is not as tight. A couple of guys could have some different agendas. We’re all on the same page here.

“We all know what we’re working for and that will help us down the stretch here.”

Everyone in the hockey world – from NHL executives to scouts to the teams themselves and their fans – have been talking about this matchup since January. The OHL playoffs, so uncompetitive in the opening round, wouldn’t be the same without it.

London finished three rungs higher in the standings, but Guelph had the better of the head-to-head meetings.

The winner could very well go on to the Memorial Cup. The loser will be instantly branded the most disappointing team of the post-season.

“Both teams know each other well, so it’s easy,” Knights coach Dale Hunter said. “You tell the kids and show them on video. They know (Nick) Suzuki does this and (Isaac) Ratcliffe does that. It’s the same for all the players, just like they (the Storm) know our guys. We’ve played them enough times with their team together after the deadline to know each other.

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PHOTOS: As Game 7 looms, a look back at long London-Guelph rivalry

Knights vs guelph storm Tuesday night at JLC. Nazem Kadri gets an unsportsmanlike penalty after the second Knight goal after coming after Cody McNaughton of the Guelph Storm. MIKE HENSEN The London Free Press

LONDON, ON - MAY 21: Justin Nichols #39 of the Guelph Storm is pushed into the net during the game against the London Knights during the 2014 Memorial Cup tournament at Budweiser Gardens on May 21, 2014 in London, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

London Knights forward Mitch Marner smiles as he makes a pass from his knees while being chased by Guelph Storm defenseman Ben Harpur during their OHL junior hockey game at Budweiser Gardens in London on Friday December 19, 2014. CRAIG GLOVER The London Free Press / QMI AGENCY

London Knight defenceman Victor Mete moves into Justin Nichols's neighbourhood but can't put the puck past the Guelph Storm goalie in the first period of their OHL hockey game in London, Ont. on Saturday December 19, 2015. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Knight Julius Bergman knocks over Pius Suter of the Guelph Storm during their OHL hockey game in London, Ontario on Friday, February 27, 2015. DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press

London Knights forward Christian Dvorak splits Guelph Storm players Luke Cairns, left, and Tyler Bertuzzi, right, as he skates hard to the net during their OHL junior hockey game at Budweiser Gardens in London on Friday December 19, 2014. CRAIG GLOVER The London Free Press / QMI AGENCY

London Knights forward Drake Rymsha is sent airborne by Guelph Storm defenseman Kyle Rhodes during their OHL junior hockey game at Budweiser Gardens in London on Friday December 19, 2014. CRAIG GLOVER The London Free Press / QMI AGENCY

A puck bounces of the crossbar behind Knights goaltender Michael Giugovaz during their Thursday night game against the Guelph Storm at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Thursday November 6, 2014. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

James McEwan of the Guelph Storm crashes into London Knights goalie Emanuel Vella in the secondperiod of their OHL hockey game in London, Ont. on Saturday December 19, 2015. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Guelph Storm goalie Justin Nichols flashes out a glove save during their Thursday night game against the Knights at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Thursday November 6, 2014. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Michael McCarron celebrates his first goal of the game for the Knights with Max Domi, Aiden Jamieson and Dakota Mermis during their Thursday night game against the Guelph Storm at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Thursday November 6, 2014. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Josh Anderson celebrates after scoring the London Knights' s second goal against the Guelph Storm during game six of the Memorial Cup in London, Ont. on Tuesday May 21, 2014. DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press/QMI Agency

With his team on a five minute power play in the first period, London Knight Matt Rupert took a two minute high sticking penalty for whacking Guelph Storm player Phil Baltisberger during game six of the Memorial Cup in London, Ont. on Tuesday May 21, 2014. DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press/QMI Agency

The scoreboard flashes "GOAL" after the Guelph Storm went up 2-0 despite the efforts of London Knights Nikita Zadorov and Anthony Stolarz in the first period of game six at the Memorial Cup in London, Ont. on Tuesday May 21, 2014. DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press/QMI Agency

London Knights hug after losing 7-2 to the Guelph Storm eliminating them from the Memorial Cup in London, Ont. on Tuesday May 21, 2014. DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press/QMI Agency

Despondent London Knights fans, including mayor Joe Fontana (third from left bottom row) watch a video replay the Guelph Storm's opening goal of game six of the Memorial Cup between the London Knights and the Guelph Storm in London, Ont. on Tuesday May 21, 2014. DEREK RUTTAN/London Free Press/QMI Agency

London Knight Brett Welychka tries to console goaltender Jake Patterson at the end of their 5-4 defeat to the Guelph Storm during OHL action in in Guelph, Ont. on Friday April 11, 2014. Guelph wins the series 4-1.DEREK RUTTAN/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Guelph Storm forward Justin Auger can't get the puck past London Knights goaltender Anthony Stolarz with London Knights forward Kyle Platzer looking on during the first period of their game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Friday December 13, 2013. London led 1-0 on the strength of a last minute goal by London Knights forward Mitchell Marner. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agencyin London, Ont. on Friday December 13, 2013. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Blood flows freely from the forehead of London Knights forward Tait Seguin as he skates to the dressing room after a fight with Guelph Storm defenceman Ben Harpur during the first period of their game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Friday December 13, 2013. London led 1-0 on the strength of a last minute goal by London Knights forward Mitchell Marner. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Blood flows freely from the forehead of London Knights forward Tait Seguin during a fight with Guelph Storm defenceman Ben Harpur during the first period of their game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Friday December 13, 2013. London led 1-0 on the strength of a last minute goal by London Knights forward Mitchell Marner. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Dejected: London Knights forwards Phil Varone and Sean OConnor set dejectedly on the bench after the Guelph Storm won 5-3 last night at the John Labatt Centre to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven OHL Western Conference quarterfinal game.

Nazem Kadri tries a toe drag around a sprawling Chris Van Laren of the Guelph Storm who successfully poke checks the puck away from Kadri, but also trips the London star drawing a penalty. Seconds into the power play Daniel Erlich scored.The London Knights are hosting the Guelph Storm Friday night in game 5 of their playoff series at the John Labatt Centre. The Knights lead 3-1 after the first.

Matt Ashman keeps Zach Michell of the Guelph Storm from getting to a puck that had trickled through London goalie Michael Hutchinson until Hutchinson was able to fall on the puck and stop the play.The London Knights hosted the Guelph Storm Friday night at the John Labatt Centre. Justin Taylor's short handed goal set off their annual Teddy Bear toss that stopped the first period while the bears were cleaned off the ice.

London Knight Alex Formenton celebrates in front of Guelph Storm goalie Tanner Wickware after Cole Tymkin put the Knights up 1-0 during the first period of their game in London, Ont. on Tuesday February 26, 2019. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

The London Knights goalie Joseph Raaymakers stops a shot by MacKenzie Entwistle of the Guelph storm in the first period of their OHL game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Wednesday February 13, 2019. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

The crease of London Knights goalie Joseph Raaymakers gets crowded with teammates Riley Coome (6) Alex Formenton (80), Joey Keane (7) and Ty Collins of the Guelph storm in the second period of their OHL game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Wednesday February 13, 2019. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

The London Knights' Alex Formenton puts a wrinkle in the sweater of Guelph Storm goalie Anthony Popvich in the first period of their OHL game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Wednesday February 13, 2019. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Sam Miletic of the Knights can't get his stick on a bouncing pass as he has lots of room behind Guelph Storm goalie Liam Herbst Friday night at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on December 16, 2016. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Victor Mete of the Knights scores their only tally of the first period on a powerplay putting a nice pass behind Guelph Storm goalie Liam Herbst Friday night at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on December 16, 2016. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Knights forward Matt Rupert twists around while attempting to recover a loose puck as Knights forward Ryan Rupert and Guelph Storm forward Scott Kosmachuk move in during game 1 of the OHL Western Conference semi-finals at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, Ontario on Friday April 4, 2014. CRAIG GLOVER/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

London Knights goaltender Kevin Bailie stops the puck with his glove after a shot on net from Guelph Storm forward Hunter Garlent during their OHL hockey game at Budweiser Gardens in London on Sunday September 30, 2012. CRAIG GLOVER The London Free Press / QMI AGENCY

Guelph Storm forward Justin Auger is chased down by London Knights forwards Josh Anderson, left, and Bo Horvat during their OHL hockey game at Budweiser Gardens in London on Sunday September 30, 2012. CRAIG GLOVER The London Free Press / QMI AGENCY

London Knights Colin Martin Josh Anderson stab at a loose puck pushing it over the line for the first goal of the hockey game despite the efforts of Garrett Sparks and Hunter Garlent of the Guelph Storm at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario on Friday, December 16, 2011. The goal was credited to Chris Tierney.DEREK RUTTAN/THE LONDON FREE PRESS/QMI AGENCY

London Knight winger Dylan MacEachern checks Guelph Storm forward Daniel Erlick during an Ontario Hockey League game played at the John Labatt Centre in London on Sunday February 13, 2011. WITH STORY BY RYAN PYETTE MORRIS LAMONT / THE LONDON FREE PRESS / QMI AGENCY

JUST MISSED - London Knights (in Green) Vs. The Guelph Storm in OHL action at the John Labatt Centre, Jan. 29/06. Knight's Josh Beaulieu watches his backhand shot just miss the top corner behind Storm goalie Ryan MacDonald during the third period.

London Knights Dylan Hunter tangles with Michael Caruso of the Guelph Storm in front of the Storm net during the first period.

Longtime trainer Don Brankley watches the clock wind down on the London Knights  and his 38-year career with them  in the third period last night at the John Labatt Centre. Brankleys tenure ended as the Guelph Storm won 5-0 to win their best-of-seven OHL Western Conference quarter-final in five games.

Francis Menard of the Storm goes down after a check by Matt Ashman of the Knights. The London Knights are hosting the Guelph Storm Friday night in game 5 of their playoff series at the John Labatt Centre. The Knights lead 3-1 after the first. MIKE HENSEN The London Free Press

Knights vs guelph storm Tuesday night at JLC. Nazem Kadri gets an unsportsmanlike penalty after the second Knight goal after coming after Cody McNaughton of the Guelph Storm. MIKE HENSEN The London Free Press

Brendan Prust of the London Knights gives Guelph Storm captain Martin St. Pierre a smack in the head during Game 1 of OHL Western conference final last night.

Net profit: Guelphs Brandon Buck and Londons Scott Aarssen fall onto Steve Masons net during the third period last night at the John Labatt Centre. The Knights won their sixth straight game, beating the Storm 4-3.

London Knights forward Andrew Wilkens tries to bat a puck out of midair behind Storm goalie Thomas McCollum during the first period of their OHL playoff game last night in Guelph. Akim Alius power-play goal at 18:40 of the third period gave the Knights a 2-1 win to extend the series to a fifth game tonight at the John Labatt Centre.

London Knights Jordan Foreman is taken down by Michael Caruso of the Guelph Storm during the first period Sunday night.n/a

The London Knights hosted the Guelph Storm Sunday night at the John Labatt Centre. Kelsey Wilson of Guelph got the puck just past Dennis' mitt, but he couldn't avoid the post on this shot that bounced out.n/a ORG XMIT: 0028

The London Knights hosted the Guelph Storm Sunday night at the John Labatt Centre. David Bolland who scored the game winning goal in overtime greets London goaltender Adam Dennis as the Knights gather to celebrate their win 3-2 of the Guelph Storm in overtime.n/a ORG XMIT: 0062

The London Knights and Guelph Storm open their best-of-seven OHL Western Conference quarter-final tonight at the John Labatt Centre.n/a

London Knight goalie Steve Mason makes a save during second period of their game vs the Guelph Storm at the JLC.n/a

MACDONALD DRIVE THROUGH - London Knights (in Green) Vs. The Guelph Storm in OHL action at the John Labatt Centre, Knight's Josh Beaulieu flies over Storm goalie Ryan MacDonald during first period action.n/a

Matt Kennedy of the Guelph Storm lands a shot during a fight with Akim Aliu of the London Knights in the first period of their OHL playoff game last night at the John Labatt Centre. Aliu got the worst of it in terms of penalty minutes - 17 to only five for Kennedy - and the Storm went on to get the best of the Knights in a 5-0 win, taking the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final in five games.n/a ORG XMIT: 0090

Brendan Prust of the London Knights gives Guelph Storm captain Martin St. Pierre a smack in the head during Game 1 of OHL Western conference final last night.n/a ORG XMIT: LDN

A pair of young Guelph Storm fans are not happy about a breakaway goal by London Knight rookie Mitchell Marner during OHL action in in Guelph, Ont. on Friday April 11, 2014. DEREK RUTTAN/The London Free Press/QMI Agency

Mitch Marner (93) celebrates with London Knights teammates after scoring the first goal of the game against the Guelph Storm in London, Ont. on Saturday November 14, 2015. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Knights goalie Jordan Kooy loses a deflection, which bounces off the crossbar behind him with Guelph's Nate Schnarr on the doorstep during first period action at Budweiser Gardens on Friday in Game 5 of the second round of the playoffs. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

Jordan Kooy gets run over by his own defenceman Riley Coome and Keegan Stevenson of the Guelph Storm with Alex Turko of the Knights coming back to check during first period action at Budweiser Gardens on Friday in Game 5 of the playoff series. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

Guelph Storm defenceman Sean Durzi watches the puck go past goalie Anthony Popovich after London Knight Matey Guskov managed to get a shot off while falling during the second period of their OHL playoff game in London, Ont. on Sunday April 7, 2019. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

Fedor Gordeev of the Guelph Storm is knocked over by Josh Nelson of the London Knights during the first period of their OHL playoff game in London on Sunday. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

London Knights captain Evan Bouchard welcomes home native Londoner Nick Suzuki of the Guelph Storm during the second period of their OHL playoff game in London on Sunday. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

“They have good D, their goaltending’s been good and they’re a well-balanced team. If you look at their record since the deadline, it’s been real good. Whoever executes the best will win.”

The Knights expect to be in the middle of these make-or-break situations every year. That’s why last season was an utter disappointment.

When a young player arrives in London, they believe the organization has the power and will to give them cracks at multiple championships.

In Guelph, you might get one. Part of the Storm’s urgency was to give heart-and-soul talent like Ratcliffe and Nate Schnarr at least a chance to go out on top.

“It was more a mutual (understanding),” Ratcliffe, the future Philly Flyer, said this week. “This is my fourth year and only my second playoff (and first time in the second round). I think we all knew we had to come back with a strong group this year and make a hard push.”

They loaded up with members of the underachieving Canadian world junior roster. They mixed and matched and now they will find out if it was worth the effort.

History suggests you’re doomed as the fourth seed in the Western Conference. But Guelph isn’t your typical No. 4 team.

The biggest problem is they haven’t really faced any adversity. They have been stuck in that four spot so long, few of their games over the final month held much meaning.

They steamrolled Kitchener but now no longer have home-ice advantage or an edge in all three zones. To beat out a team like the Knights, you need everyone pulling in the same direction and at the height of their games.

“We know how good they are and that’s exciting and nerve-wracking,” London’s shut-down centre Billy Moskal said. “They have a deep team, especially their top two lines. But so are we. Our top two lines match up with theirs, so I think we’ll be OK. We’ve seen them a lot and we’re studying tape.

“It’s going to be a great series.”

You never know what turns the tide in a toss-up.

Sometimes, your best players simply overwhelm the opposition. Maybe a hot goaltender or sizzling power play steals it.

You could discover some unexpected heroes. But more than anything, you have to hold the fort.

“Both defences are really strong,” Regula said. “On our team, that’s what drives the engine. Playing good defence will be very important and so is handling the puck with patience and poise.

“On both sides, you have to make sure you’re not just throwing it away.”

And when the heat’s on, you have to trust the person beside you. If you try to do it yourself or extend a little too much, that’s when things careen off-course.

And after mistakes, you need your friends and teammates to pick you up, say the right thing and stay the course.

“With kids, it’s always a work in progress,” Hunter said. “You always need to get better each series because the competition gets tougher. You have to raise your game even higher than before.”

And if you can’t harvest it and make it click now, you’re second-round toast.

FIVE THINGS TO FOLLOW IN KNIGHTS-STORM SERIES . . .

The Attack factor. There are Bayshore Boys everywhere you look. The Knights have ex-Owen Sound centre Kevin Hancock and Guelph added captain Nick Suzuki and d-men Markus Phillips and Sean Durzi. Hancock and Suzuki scored a lot of big goals together. Now, they’re trying to end each other’s junior careers. “It’s definitely pretty strange to look over and see him on the other side of the faceoff dot,” Hancock said. “Playing on the same line with him for basically three years was a lot of fun and we built chemistry off and even more on the ice. It’s going to be a battle and I’m up for the battle against him.”

Goaltending. The Storm will live and die with Anthony Popovich. He is capable of making 40-plus saves one night, but not every night. He was great in the Kitchener series, which blankets a career regular-season 3.61 goals against average and .895 save percentage. The Knights are riding a five-game win streak by Vegas property Jordan Kooy, but they can always turn to overager Joseph Raaymakers at the first sign of trouble. The only other OHL team with similar net depth is Ottawa. Big saves at the right time will be a decisive factor. In a matchup with this much firepower, your stopper can’t get rattled.

Power play. The Knights tried many coats and colours of paint to pretty up their power play during the season. Against Windsor, it became a masterpiece. Their three-D setup is unconventional and if it works against a stout Guelph penalty kill, the Storm are in trouble. Alec Regula’s presence in front has been a life-saver. “I think I’ve done my job well and that’s why I’m hanging around,” the Red Wings prospect said. “I didn’t know if they would keep that (three D) going for the post-season but they gave it a shot. We have to get those key goals with it. We’ll have those chances in-game to extend leads or tie it up and it’s essential we convert on those chances.”

Coaching. You’ve got the two of the most successful bench bosses in junior hockey history. London’s Dale Hunter is third all-time in OHL wins with 772 over 18 seasons. Counterpart George Burnett, an ex-Knight who started coaching at age 27 in 1989, is fifth with 706. Oddly enough, this is the first time Hunter and Burnett will oppose each other in the playoffs since they spent most of their years in opposite conferences. “He’s a good guy,” Hunter said of Burnett, also Guelph’s GM. “We’ve known him forever and he’ll have his team ready to play. He does a good job coaching them.” It took a lot of courage for Burnett to alter the Storm roster mid-stream the way he did. If he beats the Knights, that decision will be validated.

Cotton Eye Joe. Once in your life, you must visit the Sleeman Centre to witness Storm fans’ reaction to alien-looking mascot Spyke dancing to ’90s eject-this-from-my-brain ditty “Cotton Eye Joe” midway through the third period. The kiddies act like they’re at the front entrance of the Magic Kingdom and it gets a rise out of the oldies, too. It’s one of the most head-shaking traditions in junior hockey. The aim for London will be to make sure that song will be the only form of entertainment the Storm enjoy late in their home games. Hey, Knights supporters can understand. They complained loud enough last year that Chelsea Dagger was re-installed as the goal song at Budweiser Gardens. Innovate at your own peril, game day staff.

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